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Grand opening of the exhibition :
An American's Perspective of Wroclaw by
Filip Oechsli
From its miniscule gnomes to the behemoth site of the Hala Stulecia, this city provides interest on every scale.
To capture the outsider's perspective of the city seemed to be a task that could be interpreted in many different ways, but I was continuously drawn to Wroclaw's colorful diversity.
The art and architecture of the Gothic and Baroque co-exists the structures of old Germany and the Eastern Bloc to create the distinct character of this city.
Not only do these sites stand as indicators for remembrance, but they also continue to function in today's Wroclaw just as they did when they first opened their doors.
Because of this diversity of history and scale, the most appropriate method to capture the city's larger imagery was found in the panoramic.
As homage to another one of Wroclaw's artistic treasures, the Raclawice Panorama, the panoramic image appeared to justify the scale and the elaborate design of the city's many landmarks.
The warping of the subject's space is not only intended to provide one American's perspective of the city, but also offers a new perspective of familiar locations to those that call Wroclaw home.
As grand as the subjects in the panoramic images appear to be, there is also another perspective of an evolving Wroclaw to be found on a smaller scale.
It is found in the abundance of new art and architecture that have now become a part of the city's newer identity. Whether it be commissioned or illegal, art has spread throughout the city as a testament to Wroclaw's expressiveness. The cultural liberalization of today's Wroclaw recognizes itself in contemporary art throughout the city. Churches of the gothic now share courtyards with modern sculpture and reinforce a mutual existence between new and old. Even in the city's back alleys, apartment walls of the Eastern Bloc that were once dull concrete are offered new life through color and street art. This creative expression is the embodiment of the city's youthful heart and colorful cultural diversity.
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AmCorners
